The Mist -- Trailer

I haven't heard much--anything!--about the new film The Mist based on the novella by Stephen King. So I went into the cold darkness of the Internet and found the trailer on YouTube. It looks like it follows the King story fairly faithfully, and while it didn't reach out and grab me, I'll go see it. It stars Thomas Jane, Marcia Gay Harden, and Andre Braugher. It is directed by Frank Darabont.

The synopsis at Yahoo! reads:

"Following a violent thunderstorm, artist David Drayton and a small town community come under vicious attack from creatures prowling in a thick and unnatural mist. Local rumors point to an experiment called the 'The Arrowhead Project' conducted at a nearby top-secret military base, but questions as to the origins of the deadly vapor are secondary to the group's overall chances for survival. Retreating to a local supermarket, Drayton and the survivors must face-off against each other before taking a united stand against an enemy they cannot even see."

Bubba Ho-Tep -- Trailer

A few years ago I mistakenly stumbled across a film that changed everything I ever thought about cinema—that is an exaggeration, but Bubba Ho-Tep is an outrageously entertaining film. It is everything horror should be; a little scary, suspenseful in places, and extremely humorous. It doesn’t hurt that Bruce Campbell is at his best, and I have to admit that I like Campbell even when he isn’t in top form. He is perfectly matched by Ossie Davis’ terrific performance as a black JFK—“I’m thinkin’ through sand here.”

If you haven’t seen Bubba Ho-Tep, you should. It is based on a story by Joe R. Lansdale, and directed by Don Coscarelli.

The Yahoo!Movies synopsis of the film:

Elvis Presley is still alive, now in his late sixties, but confined to a rest home in Texas. Here, he recounts how he escaped fame with the help of an impersonator--now left to wonder what could have been, all while trying to battle the "soul-sucking" mummy, Bubba Ho-tep, who enters the rest home at night and consumes souls.

The Outer Limits -- Main Theme

I’m probably going to get grief from this, but I’m a fan of The Outer Limits television series from the mid-1990s—I would probably be a fan of the original series, but I haven’t seen more than an episode or two.

The new series ran for seven seasons—from 1995 to 2002, according to IMDB. It, like Twilight Zone, was an anthology-type science fiction television series that had a good share of terrific episodes, and a smattering of forgettable episodes. It ranged from its science fiction roots to horror, and maybe what could be called urban fantasy. It featured recognizable actors like Robert Patrick, Amanda Plummer, Frank Whaley, Ryan Reynolds, William B. Davis—from the X-Files—and so many more that I could fill a book with them.

The point? I found the opening credits on YouTube today and thought it was cool all over again. Enjoy.

Veronica Mars -- Main Theme

Veronica Mars was one of the better P.I. shows on television over the past few years. It has been described as an updated and modern Nancy Drew, but the character and the show is so much more. It is admittedly a teenage show, but the storylines, direction, and writing holds up well enough so that anyone can and should enjoy it. Unfortunately Veronica Mars was canceled after its third season—the season that ended last spring, and so now all we have are the DVDs. Here is the introduction for season one. Enjoy.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer -- Main Theme

I don't know if I should admit this, but I'm big a fan of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer series; the first three seasons were terrific. The characters were well drawn, fun, and very likable. The plotlines ran from the usual--classical horror and science fiction fare--to something more original, and then there is Buffy. Who could ask for a better protagonist? She was tough, vulnerable, and super cool.

Here is the opening credit sequence from the second season.

Run, Fat Boy, Run -- Trailer

This past weekend I saw the trailer for Run, Fat Boy, Run--the latest satire starring Simon Pegg. I enjoyed his two previous films Shaun of the Dead, and the more recent Hot Fuzz. The trailer for Fat Boy made me laugh, and so here it is...in a minute anyway.

Run, Fatboy, Run stars Simon Pegg, and Hank Azaria. It is directed by former Friends co-star David Schwimmer. It is scheduled for release October 26, 2007. The Yahoo!Movies descriptions reads:

A charming but oblivious overweight guy leaves his fiancee on their wedding day only to discover years later that he really loves her. To win her back, he must finish a marathon while making her realize that her new handsome, wealthy fiance is the wrong guy for her.



To visit the IMDB site click Here.
To visit the Yahoo!Movies site click Here.

Nowhere Man -- Main Theme

It's the first day of my last semester, and to cheer me up--I also just looked at the syllabus for my Corporate Income Tax class and so I really need cheering up--I took a cruise through YouTube, and of course found something pretty darn cool.

In the mid-1990s the fledgling network UPN green lighted a series called Nowhere Man. It starred Bruce Greenwood, and it was one of the coolest shows on television. I watched every episode when they originally aired, and then waited patiently (I only threw two or three tantrums) for its release on DVD. Unfortunately it only made it one season, and the conspiracy theory I started about the lost season two being released is nothing more than a vicious hoax.

This clip includes the introduction as well as the end credits. Enjoy.

Death Sentence -- Trailer

Sorta good news. I just found the trailer for the new film Death Sentence—scheduled for release August 31. It stars Kevin Bacon, Kelly Preston, and John Goodman. The director: James Wan, who also directed Saw (a film I didn't enjoy). It is based on Brian Garfield’s novel of the same title, and it looks decent—heck nearly every action-type movie looks good to me.

The Yahoo!Movies page description reads:

Nick Hume is a mild-mannered executive with a perfect life, until one gruesome night he witnesses something that changes him forever. Transformed by grief, Hume eventually comes to the disturbing conclusion that no length is too great when protecting his family.



I read the novel about two years ago, and loved it. The film doesn’t look much like the novel, but who knows, it might be great.

Ed Gorman posted a letter from Brian Garfield on his blog a few days ago, and Garfield was pretty positive about the film: It's based, in theme if not particulars, on my novel of same title. I wrote a couple of the scripts; the shooting script is written by Ian Jeffers. I think he did a good job.

Unfortunately he hasn’t actually seen the finished product.

Click Here to read the entire letter on Ed’s blog.

The X-Files -- Main Theme

I loved the first several seasons of the The X-Files. It was new, interesting, and it hovered on the edges of several terrific genres--including two of my favorites, horror and science fiction. It seems like it was the show just a few years ago, but as I watched its introduction I couldn't help but think it looked dated. Although it still got me excited. I may have to break my season one DVD set out and watch an episode tonight.




When I was doing a random search for the The X-Files on YouTube I ran into a teaser for the upcoming film. I was dubious at first, but I did a quick search on IMDB, and sure enough. According to IMDB it is scheduled for a 2009 release, but this teaser says it's scheduled for release in 2008. Which is right? Beats me. Enjoy.

The Adventures of Brisco County Jr. -- Main Theme

I've been thinking about westerns more than usual recently—check out the discussion going on in the Dwindling Supply of Westerns post from last week, and join in if you are so inclined. And, I have been watching The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. on DVD. Brisco is a guilty pleasure. It is part western, part science fiction and all goofy fun. The intro is terrific. The music never fails to get me excited, and here it is. Enjoy!

Time Trax -- Main Theme

Time Trax was a syndicated television program in the early-1990s. It aired, at least in my market, on Saturday evening for two seasons--44 episodes. It was a fun little science fiction program similar in atmosphere and content to Quantum Leap. It was about a cop from the future who is sent back in time--the early-Nineties--to catch and send back criminals who had fled prosecution in their own time. It could be a little cheesy, but I liked it.

Bourne Ultimatum Trailer

Good news. This summer the third, and presumably final, installment of the Bourne trilogy will be in theaters everywhere. I stumbled across a trailer on YouTube, and thought you all would be interested. Enjoy.

Kingdom Hospital -- Main Theme

Kingdom Hospital was a disappointment--the series was overly long, and the episodes had too many commercials--I watched the first episode on DVD and it ran a scant 38-minutes--and overall it was just too damn boring to watch. Which is too bad, because I enjoy much of Stephen King's writing, including many of his self-scripted television movies and miniseries. However, I thought Kingdom Hospital's opening theme was awesome. So here it is--just don't go crazy and and buy the DVD on a whim.

Simon & Simon -- Main Theme

This is one of those programs that just won't go away--I watched it as kid, and to say it has great memories for me is an understatement. I love the opening credits, and here they are from the good people over at YouTube.

You Tube, Discovered

I've never been accused of being on the edge of things, and my discovery of You Tube is no different. Well, today, finally, I logged on and checked it out. Cool. I've posted a couple, well, three videos right here on my blog.

Scroll down to check them out. (I feel like a kid with a new toy, so watch for more to appear.)